RISING STARS: HULTZEN DAZZLES, COLE STRUGGLES

This evening’s Arizona Fall League exhibition game featured a marquee matchup of pitching prospects with the Mariners’ Danny Hultzen taking the mound against Pittsburgh’s Gerrit Cole. The first and second picks of the 2011 First-Year Player Draft had markedly different experiences as the AFL West (Hultzen) squad downed the East (Cole) team 11-2.

Hultzen was very strong over two innings, throwing 25 pitches (15 strikes) and striking out the side in the first inning. Cole struggled mightily in his 2/3 of an inning, giving up two homeruns and five ER. The top overall pick in the draft threw 29 pitches with 13 balls and 16 strikes while giving up five base hits, many on very solid contact, before being lifted in the second.

Seattle’s infield prospect Nick Franklin stole the show at the plate with a 4-5 night that featured two doubles and a homer.